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Costa Rica’s Thanksgiving Stuffing

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Published on Saturday, November 1, 2025

By Melissa Pette

Can you believe it’s already November? Thanksgiving is sneaking up fast, and if you just landed in Costa Rica, guess what? The Pura Vida country now officially celebrates Thanksgiving, too.

Yep, since 2022 it’s been a national holiday, which means one more excuse to gather with friends, eat amazing food, and toast to good times and maybe a cold local beer or two.

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and that glorious feast that traces all the way back to the pilgrims’ harvest celebration 400 years ago.

But here in Costa Rica, it’s taken on a tropical twist; it’s about unity, good vibes, and keeping the restaurant scene alive and thriving after some tough years.

So, let’s kick off this mini Thanksgiving recipe series with one of the all-time MVPs of the holiday table: classic stuffing.

This one’s buttery, herby, and just plain irresistible. The edges? Golden and crunchy. The middle? Soft, savory, and full of flavor. It’s the kind of side that makes everything else on your plate taste better, whether you’re serving turkey, chicken, or ham.

All these ingredients are easy to find right here in Costa Rica; no need to smuggle anything in your suitcase.

250g butter (plus a little extra for greasing).

500g stale bread, cut into 4 cm cubes.

2 onions, finely chopped.

4 celery sticks, finely chopped.

A handful of oregano leaves, finely chopped.

4 rosemary sprigs, needles picked and finely chopped.

400ml chicken stock (or one can).

2 eggs.

First, preheat your oven to 285°F (140°C) and lightly butter a deep 20x30cm baking dish.

Spread your bread cubes out on a baking sheet and bake for about 40 minutes until crisp and dry.

Meanwhile, melt three-quarters of the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add your onions and celery, plus a pinch of salt, and cook for around 10 minutes until soft and fragrant.

Stir in your herbs, hit it with a little black pepper, and toss in the bread. Mix it all up like you mean it.

Pour in half the chicken stock, give it another toss, and transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Let it cool slightly.

Crank the oven up to 356°F (180°C).

Whisk together the remaining stock and the eggs, then pour it evenly over the stuffing. Dot the top with the rest of your butter, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake another 30 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crisp.

Serve it warm with your turkey (or roast chicken, or ham) and a chilled Costa Rican beer. My family’s been making this recipe for decades, and it never fails to bring everyone to the table fast.

Have a Pura Vida Thanksgiving!

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Feel free to share your own recipes by emailing a horizontal photo of your dish to food@amcostarica.com. You can find more tasty Costa Rican recipes over on the AM Costa Rica Food page.